India’s Semifinal Hopes Crushed at Women’s T20 World Cup, What Went Wrong?

India crashed out of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 after Australia pulled off the highest successful run chase in tournament history, chasing 171 with six wickets and an over to spare at Lord's on Sunday.

The defeat left Harmanpreet Kaur's side third in Group 1 with six points, while Australia and South Africa advanced to the semifinals with eight points each.

After opting to bat first, India finally clicked with the bat.

Top performers

• Harmanpreet Kaur: 56 off 26 (6 fours, 3 sixes)
• Smriti Mandhana: 38
• Shafali Verma: 34
• Jemimah Rodrigues: 34 (retired out)

Key moments

• Mandhana and Shafali stitched together a 66-run opening stand.
• India crossed 100 in the 14th over before Harmanpreet launched an explosive finish.
• Three consecutive sixes in the final over helped India reach 170/4, a total that looked competitive on the Lord's surface.

Perry-Gardner partnership changes everything

Australia lost Georgia Voll in the first over, but India couldn't capitalise.

Australia's chase

• Georgia Voll - 4
• Phoebe Litchfield - 24
• Beth Mooney - 22
• Ellyse Perry - 56 (38)
• Ashleigh Gardner - 53 (28)*

With Australia at 82/3, India had a genuine chance.

Instead, Perry and Gardner absorbed the pressure before attacking in the final six overs, putting together the match-winning stand that completely shifted momentum.

Turning point

The 17th over proved decisive.

Renuka Singh leaked 17 runs, Perry completed a 33-ball fifty and Australia's equation suddenly became comfortable.

From there, India failed to create another breakthrough.

India finished third in Group 1 and were eliminated. Australia qualified for the semifinals. South Africa also progressed from the group.

Brief Scores

India: 170/4 (20 overs)

• Harmanpreet Kaur 56
• Smriti Mandhana 38
• Shafali Verma 34

Australia: 172/4 (19 overs)

• Ellyse Perry 56
• Ashleigh Gardner 53*
• Phoebe Litchfield 24

Australia won by six wickets.